Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: an update on the year that was 2017

It has now been four years since the implementation of the Mexican sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax at the beginning of 2014 – the first substantial, nationwide tax on SSB for health-related reasons. The enactment of this SSB tax, its robust evaluation and positive effects on reducing SSB purchases set a path for increasing global action in the years to follow. The implementation of SSB taxes as part of wider efforts to address obesity and diet-related chronic diseases was recognized to be at a tipping point in 2016. Unlike other recommended obesity prevention policies, such as restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, SSB taxes are fast becoming a norm in the USA and elsewhere around the globe, and the scientific evidence base is increasing and strengthening. Contradicting the view that SSB taxes are a progressive or left-wing preference, a recent study found that most SSB taxes are implemented by conservative or right-wing governments. A recent review on key policy lessons from health taxes does, however, highlight the importance of being clear about the primary goal of the tax as health taxes remain vulnerable to hostile lobbying. Earmarking health taxes for health spending was clearly found to increase both public and political support for their implementation. Here we provide an updated timeline of action (below and Fig. 1) and highlight evidence and lessons for the year that was 2017.